(Disclaimer: Due South and its characters are property of Alliance Communications Corp., CBS, and CTV.  Lyrics for 'Blindhearted' are copyrighted by Glen Campbell Music Group and Zomba Enterprises Inc.  No infringement is intended.  Original story and characters by Krissi Strahl.  Email: torch_reporter@fortess-of-solitude.net  Comments are welcome.)

 

Neighbors & Friends

Chapter 2

 

          Fraser showed up at the Consulate bright and early the next morning.  Seeing his father's ghost after 2 years of nothing had him concerned.  "Why did he tell me that she felt the bond too?  Had he talked to her before coming to me?  Another thing, how did he know I was thinking about Victoria?" Fraser said to himself.

 

          Turnbull had just walk by Fraser's office at that exact moment.  "What are you talking about, sir?"

 

"My father's ghost visited me last night.  Instead of giving me answers though, he only raised more questions."

 

"Was the topic Ms. Lonehart?" the young Mountie asked, smiling.

 

          "Maybe.  What makes you think so?"

 

          "I had one of Detective Vecchio's hunches.  Plus you been in, what do they call it, la-la-land since she moved in."

 

          "Do you want to hear something weird, Turnbull?  Ms. Lonehart had a similar conversation with her grandmother's spirit.  I heard her talking through the wall.  She mentioned a name, Tom Bundy I believe."

 

          "An old boyfriend?"

 

          "I do not know. From the emotion in her voice, I can tell she does not think too highly of him."

 

          "I see," said Turnbull, turning to the door to start his shift.

 

***

 

          Ash and Sami were taking a short break from the recording session.  They had got together some songs for a demo and enough money to record part of it.  To cut costs, Ash engineered the sessions and Sami produced.  "I wonder if Benton ever forgot about Victoria?" Ash mumbled to herself.

 

          "Who's Victoria?" asked Sami.

 

          "Granny's spirit came to me last night and told me that the reason Benton won't let met get any closer is because the greatest love of his life betrayed him.  She said her name was Victoria Metcalf."

 

          "So, that explains the brick wall of emotions you keep running into with him."  Changing the subject, Sami smiled and said, "You and Benton have any plans for tonight?"

 

          "Actually, we do.  He's going to try and teach me how to ice-skate.  Little does he know, the last time I went skating I was on my butt more then my skates," said Ash, giggling to herself.

 

***

 

          Walking home from Consulate, Fraser still thought about what his father told him last night.  In fact, he was so deep in thought that passed the apartment building.  He didn't even realize how close he came to knocking Ash over when they past.  "Oh dear.  I'm so sorry Ms. Lonehart," he said when he came to his senses.

 

          "It's OK Benton.  From the look in your eyes, I'd swear you where back in the Yukon.  Why are you so far out there?"

 

          "Dad's ghost came and talked with me last night."

 

          "Anything interesting?"

 

          "He talked about you."

 

          "Me?"

 

          "Yes.  And how we were meant to find each other."

 

          "Granny's spirit told me the same thing.  She also told a little about Victoria."

 

          "What did she tell you?"

 

          "Only that she was the greatest love of your life and she betrayed your trust."  Ash watched as a storm of emotions fill his ice blue eyes.  She also saw that deep in his heart, he still loved Victoria though he could never trust her again.  Moving to a happier subject, Ash said, "What time are we leaving for the rink?"

 

          "As soon as we are both ready.  It's only a few blocks from the apartments, so why don't we just walk there?"

 

          "Sounds good to me.  You finally get to see how bad of a skater I really am."

 

          "Don't worry about that.  If I can teach Ray, I can teach anybody."

 

          They both started laughing at that comment.

 

***

 

          Ash heard a knock on her door.  "Come in, Benton,"  she said.  Fraser walked in carrying two pairs of skates. Dief trotted in slightly behind him, nose high in the air sniffing for treats.

 

          "Ready to go?"

 

          "Almost, just let me finish writing this email to Mom," she said, typing as fast as she could.  She logged off and grabbed her keys.  "Is he coming too?"  She looked down at Dief.

 

          "No.  I thought I told you to stay home," he said looking at the wolf.  "He never listens to me."

 

          "Let me try," said Ash. "Dief, Benton and I are going out for a little while.  Would you stay and guard our apartments?  If you do a good job, I have a chew toy with your name on it."

 

          Dief whimpered the doggy equivalent of "OK, I'll stay."  He laid down near her radio.

 

          "How did you do that?" ask Fraser in disbelief.

 

          "It's simple, I just asked him.  My wolf back home always responded better when I treated her like a person," she said smiling.

 

          "Well, we should get going," said Fraser, motioning to door.

 

          "Yep," said Ash.

 

***

 

          Just when they hit the ice, the DJ played "God Must Have Spent A Little More Time On You" by *N SYNC, and Ash couldn't help smiling at Fraser.  Ash's skating was shaky at best, only going 2 strides before landing on her butt. He offered her his hand when they heard, "When I look into your eyes, I know that it was true".  Fraser held her up for the rest of the song.

 

          "You're doing pretty good Ash.  I told you I'm a good teacher," he said.

 

          "You know something, that's the first time since I've known you that you haven't called me Ms. Lonehart."  She looked at him.  "Don't worry Ben, I'd rather you call me Ash.  Ms. Lonehart sounds too formal for friends to use."

 

          "Very well, Ash.  How did you get the nickname Ash anyway?"

 

          "My friends back home called me Ash when I was a little kid.  None of them could say Ashton."

 

          "I see."

 

          They skated and talked for an hour before taking a break.  Over at the snack bar, Fraser fished some change out of his pants pocket.  "What do you want to drink, Ash?"

 

          "How bout a root beer. Why don't you let me pay for the drinks?  You paid admission," she offered.

 

"Nonsense.  I offered, I should pay."  He looked at his handful of Canadian coins. "On second thought, maybe you should pay.  Not too many places take my money," said Fraser, smiling.  "You know why I came to Chicago, let's hear your story."

 

          "I just wanted a fresh start," she said, as she brought the drinks to the table.  "You know, find a place that will except me for face value. Back home, it was 'Ash do this, Ash be that', and I couldn't take it anymore.  Some of my friends from college came here and told how great Chicago was so I thought I'd try my luck out here.  It's been going good so far.  I have to admit though, I am homesick for the forest behind our house."  She stirred her drink with her straw as she talked.  "Sami being here has helped, and the picture of our campsite at Wolf Run Dam Mom sent me helps too."

 

          "What is Wolf Run Dam?"

          "When I was a kid, I used to go fishing and camping there.   It's a very special place to me."

 

***

 

          When they got back the apartments, Ash found a surprise waiting at her door.  "What the heck is this?  I'm not expecting any packages," she said as she looked over the crate.  It was marked 'LIVE ANIMALS', and she heard whimpering coming from inside.  Dief sniffed around it curiously.  "Hey, there a note over here."

 

                   Dear Ash,

             You know how Timber Anne always loved you?  Well after you left, we swore she was going to die of a broken heart.  We couldn't bear to see her suffer like that so we shipped her to you.

 

                                   All our love,

                                     Mom, Dad, and Jake

 

          "Timber?" she whispered as tears welled up in her eyes.  How she missed the wolf her cousin brought back for her from Alaska.  They acted more like best friends then master and pet.  "Help me open this, Ben.  We've got to get her out."

 

          With a fair amount of prying, they got the crate open and Timber jumped out landing on Ash.  She'd been in the crate for, to her, what seemed like days and she wanted to play.

 

          "Timber, take it easy," said Ash, giggling.  Fraser watched the pair romp in the hall and remembered Dief as a pup.   They reminded him of simpler days up North.

 

***

 

          Ash walked into the studio the next day with Timber close behind.  Sami looked down at the wolf, then up at Ash.  "How'd she get here?"

 

          "It seemed Mom, Dad, and Jake couldn't stand to see her so broken-hearted.  I found her at my door last night when me and Benton got back from skating.  You think Gary would mind if she stayed with me?"

 

          "Don't ask me.  He's your super.  Besides, from what you told me, he didn't have any problem with Diefenbaker staying with Benton."

 

"What worries me is since she's 100% wolf, and used to running around on the farm, how am I going to keep her out of trouble?"

 

          "You'll find a way.  You always do.  Hey, did they erase the mix for 'Blindhearted' from the O2R?  We need to tune down the high hat and kick drum, and turn up the acoustic and steel guitars."

 

          "I don't know if they got rid of it from the board, but I saved the one from Mix Manager.  I should be able to remix it from that."

 

          Getting the tapes out of her backpack, she loaded the ADATs and started working on the changes to the song.  Timber curled up at her feet and went to sleep.

 

          "Where do you what the changes at?"

 

          "The first verse and the second chorus."

 

          "Okie doke," said Ash.  Her trained ears found the spots Sami was talking about.  As she listened to the song, thoughts of Fraser and Tom popped in her head.

 

*I made a promise to myself

Never again

To get burned by someone else

Until you walked in

 

I felt the old magic begin

I felt the room startin' to spin

As my will came tumbling down

 

I can't help it if I'm blindhearted

Fallin' again

I can't help it if my life has started

Slowly cavin' in

And keep on holdin' out for you

Oh, I guess I'm just a blindhearted fool

 

I've got find a way to live

On my own

I need to find someone who'll give

Me love that's strong

 

It's like a race against time

Until your face enters my mind

And you still

Burn me to the ground

 

I can't help it if I'm blindhearted

Fallin' again

I can't help it if my life has started

Slowly cavin' in

And I keep on holdin' out for you

Oh, I guess I'm just a blindhearted fool

 

Tell everyone to gather 'round

They won't believe the view

They're looking at a blindhearted fool

Over you*

 

          "Earth to Ash.  The song's over.  Did you hear what I where talking about?" said Sami.  Timber woke up and started nudging Ash's leg.

 

          "Huh?" said Ash, breaking the spell of the song.  "Oh, yeah.  I heard it.  Should be easy to tweak, only 10 minutes of work."  Timber started scratching and whimpering at door.  "She needs to go out. We'll be back in a few minutes."

 

          "OK, I'll hold down the fort."

 

          As Ash open the door to the street, Dief trotted in and licked Timber's face.   "So that's why you wanted out so bad."  Making sure Dief was looking at her, she asked him, "Does Benton want me or are you just here to see Timber?"

 

          Dief walked down the street, looking back every once in a while.  It was clear that he wanted them to follow him.  "OK, hold up.  We're coming."

 

          He led them to a coffee bar 2 blocks away.  Fraser was sitting at an outside table, sipping from a large mug.  "Ash, Timber!  What brings you here?"

 

          "Diefenbaker.  I was about to take Timber to the park when he showed up at the studio.  Care to join us?"

 

          "I go back on duty in a few minutes, but you're more than welcome to join me in a cup of coffee."

 

          "Thanks," said Ash, sitting next to him.  A waitress came to take her order.  "Mocha latte with extra syrup, please."

 

          "Interesting choice for a self-proclaimed hillbilly," stated Fraser.

 

          "What were you expecting me to order?  Campfire brew and easy on the grounds?  I doubt they'd even know what I was talking about."

 

          Fraser laughed, and watched the wolves play.  "I think Timber and Dief are in love."

 

          "Really? I hadn't noticed," said Ash, giving a sly grin.  The waitress came out with coffee. "Thank you." Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Fraser pick up his hat and reach inside for his money roll. "I'll pick this up, Benton."

 

          "Have you heard anything from home lately?" asked Fraser.

 

          "As far as I know, everything's fine.  My little brother Jake thinks it's cool that I'm friends with a Mountie.  He wants to meet you.  One of my horses, Misty, just had her first foul.  It was a colt.  Jake named him Dr. Watson."

 

          "You own horses?"

 

          "Yeah, a mustang stallion named Sherlock Holmes, a quarter mare named Play Misty For Me, we call her Misty for short, and now Dr. Watson.  Jake's taking care of them for me."

 

          "Dad was right.  It's uncanny how alike we are."

 

          "You own horses too?"

 

          "No, almost every mount I've ever had the privilege of riding was owned by the Canadian government.  I do love them though."  They heard the bells of clock tower strike 1:00 and saw Ray pull up to the curb.  "Mind if I steal him for a while?  I need his help," he said.

 

          "Nah, go ahead.  I need to get back to the studio anyway.  When you get back to our building, I have a surprise for you, Benton."

 

          "What is it?" asked Fraser.

 

          "If I told you it would spoil the surprise," said Ash, winking.

 

          "Good point.  Shall we go, Ray?" said Fraser as he and Dief climbed into the Riv.  Ash waved goodbye and started back to the studio with Timber close behind.  "What is the case you need my help with?"

 

          "It's a case of a love-struck Mountie who's too dumb to realize it."

 

          "Excuse me?"

 

          "Don't deny it.  Everybody can see you're falling for her."

 

          "Name one person."

 

          "OK, how 'bout Francesca.  She's been balling her eyes out the last few nights because of the way you talk about Ash.  She still has that crush on you, ya know."

 

          "Oh dear, I never meant to hurt her feelings.  I admit that what I feel for Ash go beyond friendship, even beyond romance.  It's more like a kinship.  Ray, do you believe in soulmates?"

 

          "Yeah, I do. I haven't found mine yet, but I know she's out there waiting for me."

 

          "Good, then we understand each other."

 

***

 

End of Part 2